Crypto assets faced a turbulent year in 2025, with a sharp market sell-off in October triggered by US President Donald Trump’s threat of new tariffs on China. Despite volatility, European interest in cryptocurrencies continues to grow, with ownership rates rising across the continent.
According to the ‘Web3 Industry in France and Europe’ report by Adan, more than 90 percent of adults in major European economies are aware of crypto assets. Data from the European Central Bank shows that nine percent of eurozone adults held crypto in 2024, up from four percent in 2022. Ownership varies across countries, ranging from six percent in the Netherlands and Germany to 15 percent in Slovenia. Greece, Ireland, Croatia, Cyprus, Lithuania, and Austria follow closely, reflecting modest differences among nations.
James Sullivan, chief risk and compliance officer at BCB Group, said ownership patterns are shaped by digital adoption, investor risk appetite, and local market conditions. “Countries with strong financial innovation and a younger, predominantly male investor base tend to lead,” he told Euronews Business. Regulatory and economic factors also play a role. In markets with limited traditional investment options, crypto is often used speculatively, while awareness campaigns, like those in Italy, can boost adoption.
The UK, though not part of the eurozone, shows strong crypto activity, ranking third globally in transaction volumes behind the US and India as of 2024.
Across the eurozone, ownership more than doubled between 2022 and 2024. Greece and Lithuania recorded the largest increases, rising by ten percentage points, while Cyprus, Belgium, Ireland, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Portugal, and Italy also saw gains of seven points or more. The Netherlands remained stable, while data for Croatia in 2022 is unavailable. Sullivan said this trend reflects growing consumer confidence, supported by global market momentum and the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.
MiCA establishes uniform rules for crypto assets, providing regulatory clarity and consumer protection. Sullivan said the framework signals mainstream recognition of crypto, encouraging cautious investors to enter the market.
Investment remains the primary use for crypto. In the eurozone, 64 percent of holders use it for investment, while 16 percent use it for payments, and 19 percent for both. The Netherlands and Germany show the highest focus on investment despite lower overall ownership, while France has the largest share of users leveraging crypto for payments at 25 percent.
Sullivan noted that most European consumers still use crypto primarily for speculation rather than daily transactions. While stablecoins could offer practical payment solutions, their adoption remains limited compared with traditional methods such as cards and cash. He added that the long-term success of crypto as a transactional tool will depend on MiCA’s effectiveness in regulating euro-denominated stablecoins and integrating them into existing payment systems.
Despite 2025’s volatility, the rise in ownership indicates that European retail interest in crypto remains strong, with regulation and market momentum supporting continued growth.
